Purdue fires coach Hope

Danny Hope has been dismissed as Purdue's head football coach after four seasons, the school announced on Sunday, one day after Purdue beat Indiana 56-35 in its final regular-season game to become bowl-eligible.

Wide receivers coach Patrick Higgins will serve as interim head coach for the Boilermakers' bowl game.

Hope will receive a $600,000 buyout.

"There is no question that our football program has seen considerable growth under Danny's leadership, particularly in the areas of academics, player development and recruiting," athletic director Morgan Burke said, according to CollegeFootballTalk.com. "I applaud him for his passion about Purdue University and the young men he coaches. He and his staff have devoted their lives to improving the program, but as I told him earlier this afternoon, those efforts did not equate to the consistent on-field success that both of us expected.

"I want to personally thank Danny and his wife, Sally, for their contributions not only to Purdue but to the Greater Lafayette community.

Purdue had a 23-27 overall record under Hoper, including 13-19 in the Big Ten.

The Boilermakers are 6-6 this season, including 3-5 in the conference.